TPT September 2007

D esign, P roduction & M anagement S oftware

CAD/CAM productivity for laser tube machinery

Multi-axis and CNC tube cutting machinery – including laser, plasma and waterjet – is a fast-growing global applications marketplace. Tube components produced using these machine tools range from the very small (eg medical devices) to the very large (eg tubular roof constructions), and all diverse application inbetween such as furniture, automotive and aerospace. These machines operate with tools that require CNC program generation, with program engineers having at least 3 axes to contend with, and often even 5- or 6- axis simultaneous movement. There is a need for CNC machine users to keep these highly productive machine tools supplied with a complete and accurate cutting tool path. CAM software solutions have now been available for these applications for a number of years, with developments regularly delivering advances in functionality and productivity. An established system, PEPS SolidCut Laser Tube from Camtek, delivers significant gains in productivity for increasing numbers of programming staff and production managers. Camtek – part of the Vero International Group of CADCAM software development companies – has recently launched version 6 of the SolidCut software. This version includes an enhanced user interface, improved user help files, cycle-time calculations (for estimating purposes), and improved collision-detection. The solution is based upon Solid model component and machine-simulation objects,

each with fully integrated Solid model design. Engineers can create models of any tube required, whether using the range of standard tubes available or by drawing specialised freeform cross sections. Apertures and tube ends can also be modelled using the extensive library, and also with user-defined freeform sections. Powerful tools such as pattern-repeated and wrapped apertures complete the design toolkit. All definitions of a tubular component, tube ends and apertures are parametric. Dimensions and positions can therefore be modified at any later stage, with quick re-calculation of the entire model to incorporate the changes. Companies who use CAD design solutions aim to avoid re-creating designs in the CAM system. The SolidCut range of CAD translators includes free integrators for Solidworks, Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor and IronCAD, plus IGES and Parasolid x_t. Together, they deliver tightly-integrated CADCAM solutions, with CAD native files used in virtually all cases. Integrators for Catia, PRO-Engineer and Unigraphics are optional additions. Generating a complex multiaxis laser path in SolidCut Laser is made very easy for the user. The systems can be used either automatically or interactively, giving flexibility and preference. Feature-finding tools quickly identify areas to be machined, and the user can control appropriate cutting technologies to be applied to any trim cut. Cutting head orientation to the component surface can be set as a default and then

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fi PEPS SolidCut Laser Tube can be used for multiaxis, CNC tube cutting machinery

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S eptember /O ctober 2007